Andy Fritz

Just before the start of Monday’s Fort Dodge City Council meeting, Mayor Matt Bemrich handed the gavel to Councilman Andy Fritz.

The meeting was Fritz’s last one, and Bemrich wanted him to preside over the opening phases of the session.

Fritz is leaving office after eight years on the council. He took office on Jan. 1, 2010, and his term will end on Dec. 31.

He unsuccessfully sought a third term as an at-large councilmember in the November general election. He will be replaced in January by Lydia Schuur.

Fritz said Monday that since election day he’s felt moments of relief and moments of bitterness.

“Mostly, there’s been hopeful thoughts,” he said.

“It’s been my honor to serve these last eight years beside you,” Fritz said to Bemrich and his fellow council members.

He told City Manager David Fierke that he is “the standard that city managers should be compared to.”

Turning to Jeff Nemmers, the city clerk and finance director, Fritz said he wished his wife handled the household budget with the same care and thoroughness that he applies to the municipal budget.

“I’m proud of each and every one of our dedicated city employees and the service they provide,” Fritz said.

The outgoing councilman also thanked the citizens.

“Thank you for trusting me with eight years of decision-making on your behalf,” he said.

Bemrich, who said he’s known Fritz since they were in middle school, allowed the councilman to preside over the closing of the meeting. In a departure from usual procedure, Fritz called for a roll call vote to adjourn the meeting. The majority of his fellow councilmembers promptly voted no.

Bemrich took charge again and quickly got a voice vote to adjourn the meeting. Then he had one more thing to give Fritz. He carefully pryed the councilman’s nameplate from the front of the council table and handed it to him.